CABLE CLAMPING DEVICE FOR SEALED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable clamping device for a sealed electrical connector, and to an electrical connector comprising a housing provided with at least one opening for accommodating therein one or more electrical cables and the cable clamping device. The present invention also relates to a method for joining a cable clamping device to a housing of a sealed electrical connector. An example of a sealed electrical connector is shown in EP 1 701 410 A2 and WO 2016/135303 A1.

[0002] For sealed electrical connectors, it is known to use a rear grid associated with a sealing joint at an opening of a housing of the sealed electrical connector, by which the electrical cables are inserted. For this purpose, the rear grid is provided with orifices dimensioned to receive the electrical cables. The rear grid particularly makes it possible to retain and compress the sealing joint.

[0003] In connectors of the sealed type, the insulation of the electrical cables, unlike the crimping terminals situated further inside the housing, is not crimped. This makes the sealed housings vulnerable to tensile stress, when the cables are pulled in a direction opposite the direction of insertion of the cable into the housing, for example during handling and/or use of the connector.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to propose a cable clamping device for a sealed electrical connector, which makes it possible in particular to jam the electrical cables in the housing so that the sealed electrical connector can better withstand axial stresses on the cables.

[0005] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a cable clamping device as disclosed in claim 1. Thus, the grid makes it possible to fulfil, in addition to the known function which ensures the closure of the opening of the housing, the function of clamping the insulation of the one or more cables, which makes it possible to hold the cables better even when they are under tensile stress. At the same time, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the number of components in the assembly of a sealed electrical connector, while making it possible to protect the electrical cables from potential axial stresses.

[0006] According to the invention, the grid comprises a first jaw and a second jaw forming between them the one or more receiving orifices for the cables, and being mobile with respect to one another in order to clamp the at least one cable in the orifice by closing upon introduction into an opening of the housing. Before the closure of the jaws, the one or more cables can be passed easily into the orifices and then the closure of the jaws onto the electrical cables makes it possible to jam them and thus to improve their resistance to axial stresses.

[0007] According to another implementation of the invention, the first jaw can be mounted in a mobile manner with respect to the second jaw using one or more elastically deformable hinges in such a way as to permit a rotary pivoting of the first jaw with respect to the second jaw. Owing to the fact that the first jaw and the second jaw are mobile by way of elastically deformable hinges, the use of tools to initiate the rotary pivoting of the first jaw is not necessary, which facilitates the assembly.

[0008] According to another implementation of the invention, the jaws and the one or more hinges can be produced in such a way that, in a so-called assembly state, when said clamping device is not inserted in the housing, the jaws are open in such a way as to permit the introduction of the at least one cable; and in a so-called assembled state, when said clamping device is inserted in the housing, the jaws are closed further in such a way as to bring about the jamming of the at least one cable. Thus, in a so-called assembly state, the one or more electrical cables can be introduced into the grid of the clamping device, and in the so-called assembled state, the clamping device ensures the jamming of the electrical cables. The jaws and the hinges of the clamping device according to the invention thus make it possible to ensure the double functionality of the device.

[0009] According to another implementation of the invention, the first jaw can be equipped with a ramp-shaped element with a slope descending in the direction of introduction of the grid into the opening of the housing. The ramp shape with a slope descending in the direction of introduction of the grid into the opening of the housing thus makes it possible to facilitate the introduction of the first jaw and, consequently, of the clamping device itself into the opening of the housing.

[0010] According to the invention, the first jaw extends beyond the second jaw in the direction opposite the direction of introduction of the grid. The difference in depth between the first and second jaws makes it possible to facilitate the rotary pivoting of the first jaw.

[0011] According to another implementation of the invention, the dimensions of the grid, in the so-called assembly state, when said clamping device is not yet inserted in the housing, can be wider than the dimensions of the opening of the housing into which the grid is to be introduced. The dimensions of the grid are thus adapted in such a way that the vertex of the ramp causes a pivoting of the first jaw in order to clamp the jaws onto the one or more electrical cables. It is this difference in dimensions between the grid and the opening of the housing which makes it possible to ensure the automatic pivoting of the first jaw during the introduction into the opening of the housing.

[0012] According to another implementation of the invention, a face of the first jaw and/or of the second jaw, configured to be in contact with one or more cables in the so-called assembled state, can be provided with at least one retaining shape, in particular a protrusion for jamming the one or more cables. These retaining shapes make it possible to further ensure the holding of the cables in the orifices for receiving the grid. Thus, the jamming of the electrical cables is improved further.

[0013] According to another implementation of the invention, at least one wall of the second jaw, which, in the so-called assembled state, faces the internal wall of the opening of the housing, can be provided with at least one protrusion permitting a snap-locking of the grid in the housing. This protrusion makes it possible to ensure the holding of the grid and thus of the clamping device in the opening of the electrical housing. This snap-locking is all the more necessary during use of the sealed electrical connector in environments which are subject to vibrations and/or to impacts.

[0014] According to another implementation of the invention, the cable clamping device can be produced in a single monobloc and elastic piece, in particular made of plastic material. This makes it possible to reduce the number of components for assembling a sealed electrical connector and thus to reduce the weight of such a connector, especially using pieces made of plastic material. In addition, a monobloc piece made of plastic material can be produced easily by moulding in a reproducible and economical manner.

[0015] The object of the invention is also achieved by an electrical connector, in particular a sealed electrical connector, which comprises a housing provided with at least one opening for accommodating therein one or more electrical cables and a cable clamping device according to the invention.

[0016] Accordingly, the one or more electrical cables of the electrical connector are held, which improves the resistance of the cables, especially when they are under tensile stress.

[0017] According to another implementation of the invention, the cable clamping device of the electrical connector can comprise a grid provided with a first jaw and with a second jaw which are equipped with a retaining shape in such a way as to jam the electrical cables between the first and second jaws in the direction of introduction of the grid into the opening of the housing. Thus, the cable clamping device makes it possible to ensure the functions of a rear grid and of a collet chuck. The present invention thus makes it possible to reduce the number of components in the assembly of an electrical connector, while making it possible to better protect the electrical cables from potential axial stresses.

[0018] The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for joining a cable clamping device to a housing of an electrical connector, in particular a sealed electrical connector, comprising the steps of a) sliding the grid along the one or more electrical cables as far as an opening of the housing; and b) pushing the grid into the opening of the housing in such a way as to pivot the first jaw until the first and second jaws clamp the one or more electrical cables between them. Thus, the insertion of the grid makes it possible not only to close the opening of the housing, as a rear grid would, but also to ensure the jamming of the cables between the first and second jaws. The grid thus gives the cable clamping device a double functionality.

[0019] The present invention can be further improved by virtue of the following embodiments.

[0020] According to another implementation of the invention, step b) can comprise, when the grid is introduced into the housing, the abutment of the vertex of the ramp of the first jaw against an internal wall of the opening of the housing in order to cause a pivoting of the first jaw in order to clamp the jaws onto the one or more cables. Therefore, the pivoting of the first jaw in order to clamp the jaws onto the cables is automatically triggered by the passing of the vertex of the ramp into the opening of the housing. Thus, the assembly does not require tools and is simplified as a result.

[0021] According to another implementation of the invention, step b) can comprise, when the grid is introduced into the housing, the nesting of at least one protrusion of the second jaw in a hole of the housing permitting a snap-locking of the grid in the housing. This protrusion makes it possible to ensure the holding of the grid and thus of the clamping device in the opening of the electrical housing. This snap-locking is especially necessary during use of the sealed electrical connector in environments which are subject to vibrations and/or to impacts.

[0022] The previously cited embodiments can be combined in order to form further advantageous embodiment variants of the present invention.

[0023] The invention and its advantages will be explained in greater detail hereafter using preferred embodiments and in particular on the basis of the following accompanying figures, in which:

figure 1 schematically depicts a cross-section of an electrical connector provided with a clamping device according to the present invention;

figure 2a schematically depicts a clamping device according to the present invention;

figure 2b schematically depicts a cross-section of the clamping device according to the present invention;

figure 3a schematically depicts the clamping device of the present invention, slid onto electrical cables but not yet joined to a housing of a sealed electrical connector according to the first step of the method of assembling the clamping device;

figure 3b depicts a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector and of the clamping device during the second step of the method of assembling the clamping device;

figure 3c depicts a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector and of the clamping device in the so-called assembled state.

[0024] The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be applied substantially to any type of electrical connector, in particular to any type of sealed electrical connector.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector, in particular a sealed electrical connector, 100 according to the invention. The connector 100 comprises a housing 101 which is provided with an opening 103 of height L. An electrical cable 105 provided with an insulation 106 is introduced through the opening 103. A clamping device 1 according to the invention, and described further during the description of figures 2a and 2b, is positioned in the opening 103. The clamping device 1 has been introduced along the insertion direction A. The electrical cable 105 and its insulation 106 pass through the clamping device 1 and are inserted as far as the interior 200 of the housing 101. On the inside 200 of the housing 101, the cable 105 is stripped of its insulation 106 and is crimped in the crimping region 201.

[0026] In the case of an electrical connector 100 which is sealed, the insulation of the electrical cables is not crimped for sealing reasons. In order to ensure the sealing, the electrical connector 100 is provided with a sealing plug 203 equipped with lips 205 so as to guarantee the sealing of the connector 100.

[0027] Figures 2a and 2b will be described jointly hereafter since they depict two views of the clamping device 1 of the present invention according to one and the same embodiment.

[0028] The clamping device 1 shown by figures 2a and 2b comprises a grid 3 provided with a first jaw 5 and a second jaw 7 forming between them two substantially circular orifices 9, 11 which are configured for receiving electrical cables. The dimensions of the receiving orifices 9, 11 are suitable for the dimensions of the electrical cables. In this embodiment the grid comprises two orifices, but in other embodiments the grid can comprise more orifices. In yet another variant, only one orifice can be present.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the cable clamping device 1 is produced from a single monobloc piece in an elastically deformable plastic material. This makes it possible to reduce the number of components in the sealed electrical connector and to offer an easy assembly.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in figures 2a and 2b, the second jaw 7 has the shape of a "U", the length l1 of the central part 13 of which is longer than the length l2 of the two side parts 15, 17. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the dimensions of the second jaw 7 are adapted to the dimensions of the opening of the housing of the electrical connector. The central part 13 of the second jaw 7 is recessed in such a way as to give two circular kerfs 19, 21 which, in combination with the first jaw 5, give the orifices 9, 11 for receiving the electrical cables.

[0031] The first jaw 5 is positioned in the "U"-shaped opening of the second jaw 7. Two hinges 31, 33 are used to connect the two jaws 5, 7.

[0032] The internal wall 49 of the planar surface 40 of the first jaw 5, which faces the central part 13 of the second jaw 7, is used to close the orifices 9, 11.

[0033] The distance l3 between the two circular kerfs 19, 21 and the wall 49 of the first jaw 5 is adapted to the diameters of the one or more electrical cables in order to permit easy insertion of the cables into the orifices 9, 11.

[0034] Starting from the lower side 41, adjacent to the hinges 31, 33 of the planar surface 40 of the first jaw 5, two ramp-shaped structures 42, 43 extend perpendicularly and are linked together at their vertices 42a, 43a via a rear wall 44 extending likewise perpendicularly from the planar surface 40. The rear wall 44 is on the side opposite the side 41 which will be used to enter into a housing of a connector. The introduction direction is depicted using the arrow A. Thus, the ramp 42, 43 increases in the direction opposite the introduction direction A. This particular geometry in the shape of a ramp 42, 43 makes it possible to facilitate the insertion of the first jaw 5 into an opening of an electrical housing, since the clamping device 1 is inserted on the lower side 41 towards the vertex 42a, 43a of the first jaw 5.

[0035] The space between the two ramps 42, 43 is empty but, according to another variant, this space could be filled with the same material used for the grid 3.

[0036] The two hinges 31, 33 are elastically deformable in such a way as to permit a rotary pivoting of the first jaw 5 with respect to the second jaw 7. The rotation axis, shown by the reference B, is perpendicular to the insertion direction A. The two hinges 31, 33, which are integral with and perpendicular to the two internal side walls 35, 37 of the second jaw 7, are also perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the clamping device 1 into an opening of a housing as shown by the arrow A.

[0037] The two hinges 31, 33 define between them an axis B around which the first jaw 5 can pivot in rotation. The first jaw 5 is thus pivoted in rotation around the axis B which links the two hinges 31, 33 as indicated by the arrow C in figure 2b. The first jaw 5 and the second jaw 7 are thus mobile in relation to one another and can clamp electrical cables in the orifices 9, 11 by closing when pressure is applied on the vertex 42a, 43a of the first jaw 5, for example as an electrical conductor is introduced into an opening of a housing.

[0038] In addition, the height l4 of the rear wall 44, which also corresponds to the height of the vertices 42a, 43a of the ramps 42, 43 of the first jaw 5, is dimensioned such that it makes the grid 3 significantly wider than an opening of height L of a housing into which the cable clamping device 1 is to be inserted, as shown in figure 1. In particular, the height l4 is dimensioned such that the insertion of the first jaw 5 into an opening of a housing causes a pivoting around the axis B of the first jaw 5 in order to clamp the jaws 5, 7 onto the cables in the orifices 9, 11. This aspect will be described further in figures 3a, 3b and 3c.

[0039] The wall 49 of the first jaw 5 facing the orifices 9, 11 as well as the circular kerfs 19, 21 of the second jaw 7 are provided with retaining shapes 51, 53 for the jamming of the cables. In the embodiment depicted by figures 2a and 2b, the first jaw and the second jaw are provided with protrusions 51, 53 in the shape of ramps, the slopes of which have directions opposed to one another, which serves to further improve the clamping of an electrical cable.

[0040] In addition, the wall 39 of the second jaw 7, adjacent to the lower side 41 of the first jaw 5, is provided with a protrusion 55 permitting a snap-locking of the grid 3 in a housing. This protrusion 55 has a ramp structure, the slope of which descends in the insertion direction A, which makes it possible to facilitate the insertion of the clamping device 1 into an opening of a housing. This protrusion 55 makes it possible to ensure the holding of the grid 3 and thus of the clamping device 1 in an opening of an electrical housing. This snap-locking is especially necessary during use of the sealed electrical connector in environments which are subject to vibrations and/or to impacts.

[0041] In the embodiment shown in figures 2a and 2b, the wall 39 of the second jaw 7 is provided with several recesses 57a, 57b, 57c, 57d so as to further lighten the cable clamping device 1 and to facilitate the deformation in order to be able to introduce the grid 3 into the housing.

[0042] Moreover, the periphery 47 of the wall 39 of the second jaw 7 is bevelled so as to facilitate the insertion of the second jaw 7 into an opening of a housing of an electrical connector.

[0043] Figure 3a shows a clamping device 1 in a so-called assembly state, when said clamping device 1 is not inserted in the housing, and when the jaws 5, 7 are open in such a way as to permit the introduction of an electrical cable without needing to force. This step corresponds to the first step of the method for joining a clamping device 1 to a housing of an electrical connector, in particular a sealed electrical connector, according to the invention.

[0044] In figure 3a, the sealed electrical connector 100 comprises a housing 101 provided with an opening 103 dimensioned for receiving the cable clamping device 1 according to the present invention. Two electrical cables 105, 107 are already crimped inside the housing 101 of the sealed electrical connector 100. In one variant, there could be more, or fewer, than two electrical cables.

[0045] In the step shown in figure 3a, the cable clamping device 1 is slid along the electrical cables 105, 107 which are accommodated in the receiving orifices 9, 11 of the grid 3, in the introduction direction A.

[0046] The height l4 of the rear wall 44 of the first jaw 5 confers a dimension on the grid 3 considerably larger than the height L of the opening 103 of the housing 101. However, the structure in the shape of a ramp 42, 43 of the first jaw 5 makes it possible to facilitate the insertion of the clamping device 1 into the opening 103. In addition, the bevelled periphery 47 of the wall 39 of the second jaw 7 likewise makes it possible to facilitate the insertion of the second jaw 7 into the opening 103, especially since the periphery 109 of the opening 103 of the housing 101 is likewise bevelled.

[0047] The side walls 111, 113 of the housing 101, which are situated on either side of the opening 103, are each provided with a hole 115, 117 configured to receive the protrusions 55 of the second jaw 7, permitting a snap-locking of the clamping device 1 in the housing 101.

[0048] Figure 3b depicts a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 100 and of the clamping device 1 during the second step of the method of assembling the clamping device 1.

[0049] In this step, the clamping device 1 is already partially inserted inside the opening 103 of the housing 101.

[0050] The second jaw 7, the dimensions of which are complementary to the opening 103, is slid inside the housing 101. The first jaw 5 is likewise slid inside the housing 101 in such a way that the slopes of the ramps 42, 43 descend in the insertion direction A. Thus, the lower side 41 of the first jaw 5 is first of all introduced, then the clamping device 1 is pushed further inside the housing 101 until the part 42b just below the vertex 42a of the ramp 42 of the first jaw 5 comes to a stop on the bevelled periphery 109 of the opening 103 of the electrical housing 101. The pivoting of the jaw 5 is further facilitated by the difference in length, along the introduction direction A, between the depth l5 of the first jaw and the depth l7 of the second jaw, such that l5 is longer than 17. Thus, a portion of length l6 of the first jaw 5 towards the rear wall 44 extends beyond the second jaw 7 in a direction parallel to the introduction direction A. The portion of length l6 corresponds specifically to the side opposite the vertex 42a of the ramp 42.

[0051] Figure 3c depicts a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 100 and of the clamping device 1 in the following so-called assembled state.

[0052] By pushing the clamping device 1 further as depicted in the step of figure 3b, in the insertion direction A, the abutment of the vertex 42a, 43a of the ramp 42, 43 of the first jaw 5 against the bevelled periphery 109 of the opening 103 brings about the pivoting of the first jaw 5 around the rotation axis B as indicated by the arrow C. It is the difference in dimensions between the grid 3, especially the height l4 of the first jaw 5, and the height L of the opening 103 of the housing 101 which makes it possible to trigger the pivoting of the first jaw 5 during the introduction of the housing 101 into the opening 103.

[0053] The rotary pivoting of the first jaw 5 makes it possible to lower the internal wall 49 of the first jaw 5 towards the second jaw 7 as indicated by the arrow C, and thus to close the first jaw 5 and the second jaw 7 on the electrical cable 105 so as to jam it. In addition, the protrusion 51 of the first jaw 5 and the protrusion 53 of the second jaw 7 hold the electrical cable 105 further, especially since the protrusions 51, 53 have a ramp shape, the slopes of which have directions opposed to one another, so as to improve the clamping of the electrical cable 105. Thus, the protrusions 51, 53 apply pressure on the insulation 106 of the electrical cable 105, which causes a jamming by friction and/or by shape between the protrusions 51, 53 and the insulation 106. The same is true of, and applies to, the second cable 107.

[0054] In the so-called assembled state, the clamping device 1 is held by snap-locking by way of protrusions 55 and complementary holes 115, 117 (not shown in figure 3c). In addition, the clamping device 1 is likewise held by means of the friction between the vertex 42a, 43a of the ramp 42, 43 of the first jaw 5 and of the internal wall 119 of the housing 101.

[0055] Thus, the clamping device 1 of the present invention makes it possible to ensure the holding of the electrical cables 105, 107 in a sealed electrical connector 100, in particular when they are under tensile stress, shown by the arrow T in figure 3c. The crimping of the conducting core of the electrical cable 105, 107 in addition to the clamping of the insulation 106 of the cable 105, 107 by the clamping device 1 of the present invention makes it possible to improve the resistance of the electrical cables 105, 107 when they are under tensile stress in the direction of the arrow T as depicted in figure 3c.

[0056] Such a sealed electrical connector 100 with a clamping device 1 is thus suitable for use in environments which are subject to vibrations and/or to impacts.

Reference list

[0057] 

1: clamping device

3: grid

5: first jaw

7: second jaw

9, 11: receiving orifice

13: central part

15, 17: side part

19, 21: kerf

31, 33: hinge

35, 37: internal wall

39: face, wall

40: planar surface

41: lower side

42, 43: ramp

42a, 43a: vertex

44: rear wall

47: periphery

49: internal wall

51, 53, 55: protrusion

57a, 57b, 57c, 57d: recess

100: sealed electrical connector

101: housing

103: opening

105: electrical cable

106: insulation

107: electrical cable

109: periphery

111, 113: side wall

115, 117: hole

119: internal wall

200: interior

201: crimping region

203: sealing plug

205: lips

A: direction of insertion

B: rotation axis

C: rotational movement

T: pulling direction, axial stress

L: height of opening

l1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, l7: length / height

Claims

1. A cable clamping device (1) for a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100), comprising a grid (3), itself comprising one or more orifices (9, 11) for receiving one or more cables (105, 107) respectively and such that the grid (3) comprises a clamping means for jamming the one or more cables (105, 107) in the at least one orifice (9, 11) of the grid (3); wherein the grid (3) comprises a first jaw (5) and a second jaw (7) forming between them the one or more receiving orifices (9, 11) for the one or more cables (105, 107), and being mobile with respect to one another in order to clamp the at least one cable (105, 107) in the orifice (9, 11) by closing upon introduction into an opening (103) of the housing (101),
characterised in that.
the first jaw (5) extends beyond the second jaw (7) in the direction opposite the direction of introduction of the grid (3) into the opening (103) of the housing (101).

2. The cable clamping device (1) for a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100) according to Claim 1, the first jaw (5) of which is mounted in a mobile manner with respect to the second jaw (7) using one or more elastically deformable hinges (31, 33) in such a way as to permit a rotary pivoting of the first jaw (5) with respect to the second jaw (7).

3. The cable clamping device (1) for a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100) according to Claim 2, the jaws (5, 7) and the one or more hinges (31, 33) of which are produced in such a way that:

in a so-called assembly state, when said clamping device (1) is not inserted in the housing (101), the jaws (5, 7) are open in such a way as to permit the introduction of the at least one cable (105, 107); and

in a so-called assembled state, when said clamping device (1) is inserted in the housing (101), the jaws (5, 7) are closed further in such a way as to bring about the jamming of the at least one cable (105, 107).

4. The cable clamping device (1) for a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100) according to any one of Claims 2 to 3, the first jaw (5) of which is equipped with a ramp-shaped element (42, 43) with a slope descending in the direction of introduction of the grid (3) into the opening (103) of the housing (101).

5. The cable clamping device (1) for a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100) according to Claim 4, the vertex (45) of the ramp (42, 43) of which is dimensioned so that the insertion of the first jaw (5) into the opening (103) of the housing (101) causes a pivoting of the first jaw (5) in order to clamp the jaws (5, 7) onto the one or more cables (103, 105).

6. The cable clamping device (1) for a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, of which a face (49) of the first jaw (5) and/or of the second jaw (7), configured to be in contact with one or more cables (105, 107) in the so-called assembled state, is provided with at least one retaining shape (51, 53), in particular a protrusion (51, 53) for jamming the one or more cables (105, 107).

7. The cable clamping device (1) for a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, of which at least one wall of the second jaw (7), which, in the so-called assembled state, faces the internal wall (119) of the opening (103) of the housing (101), is provided with at least one protrusion (55) permitting a snap-locking of the grid (3) in the housing (101).

8. The cable clamping device (1) for a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is produced in a single monobloc and elastic piece, in particular made of plastic material.

9. An electrical connector, in particular a sealed electrical connector, comprising a housing (101) provided with at least one opening (103) for accommodating therein one or more electrical cables (105, 107) and a cable clamping device (1) according to Claim 1.

10. The electrical connector, in particular a sealed electrical connector, according to Claim 9, the cable clamping device (1) of which comprises a grid (3) provided with a first jaw (5) and with a second jaw (7) which are equipped with a retaining shape (51, 53) in such a way as to jam the electrical cables (105, 107) between the first and second jaws (5, 7) in the direction of introduction (A) of the grid (3) into the opening (103) of the housing (101).

11. A method for joining a cable clamping device (1) according to Claim 1 to a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100), comprising the steps of:

a) sliding the grid (3) along the one or more electrical cables (105, 107) as far as an opening (103) of the housing (101); and

b) pushing the grid (3) into the opening (103) of the housing (101) in such a way as to pivot the first jaw (5) until the first (5) and second (7) jaws clamp the one or more electrical cables (105, 107) between them.

12. The method according to Claim 11 for joining a cable clamping device (1) to a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100), in combination with Claims 2 to 8, step b) of which comprises, when the grid (3) is introduced into the housing (101), the abutment of the vertex (45) of the ramp (41) of the first jaw (5) against an internal wall (109, 119) of the opening (103) of the housing (101) in order to cause a pivoting of the first jaw (5) in order to clamp the jaws (5, 7) onto the one or more cables (105, 107).

13. A method according to Claim 11 or 12 for joining a cable clamping device (1) to a housing (101) of a sealed electrical connector (100), in combination with Claim 7, step b) of which comprises, when the grid (3) is introduced into the housing (101), the nesting of at least one protrusion (55) of the second jaw (7) in a hole (115, 117) of the housing (101) permitting a snap-locking of the grid (3) in the housing (101).

Ansprüche

1. Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) für ein Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100), die ein Gitter (3) umfasst, das selbst ein oder mehrere Loch/Löcher (9, 11) umfasst, die jeweils ein oder mehrere Kabel (105, 107) aufnimmt/aufnehmen, wobei das Gitter (3) eine Klemmeinrichtung zum Festklemmen des einen oder der mehreren Kabels/Kabel (105, 107) in dem wenigstens einen Loch (9, 11) des Gitters (3) umfasst, das Gitter (3) eine erste Klemmbacke (5) und eine zweite Klemmbacke (7) umfasst, zwischen denen das eine oder die mehreren Aufnahme-Loch/Löcher (9, 11) für das eine oder die mehreren Kabel (105, 107) gebildet wird/werden und die zueinander bewegt werden können, um das wenigstens eine Kabel (105, 107) in dem Loch (9, 11) durch Schließen nach Einführung in eine Öffnung (103) des Gehäuses (101) einzuklemmen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die erste Klemmbacke (5) sich über die zweite Klemmbacke (7) hinaus in der Richtung entgegengesetzt zu der Richtung für Einführung des Gitters (3) in die Öffnung (103) des Gehäuses (101) erstreckt.

2. Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) für ein Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die erste Klemmbacke (5) derselben unter Verwendung eines oder mehrerer elastisch verformbaren/verformbarer Scharniers/Scharniere (31, 33) in Bezug auf die zweite Klemmbacke (7) beweglich so angebracht ist, dass ein drehendes Schwenken der ersten Klemmbacke (5) in Bezug auf die zweite Klemmbacke (7) ermöglicht wird.

3. Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) für ein Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100) nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Klemmbacken (5, 7) derselben sowie das eine oder die mehreren Scharnier/e (31, 33) so hergestellt werden, dass:

in einem sogenannten Montagezustand, in dem die Klemmvorrichtung (1) nicht in das Gehäuse (101) eingeführt ist, die Klemmbacken (5, 7) so geöffnet sind, dass sie die Einführung des wenigstens einen Kabels (105, 107) ermöglichen; und

in einem sogenannten montierten Zustand, in dem die Klemmvorrichtung (1) in das Gehäuse (101) eingeführt ist, die Klemmbacken (5, 7) weiter geschlossen sind, so dass sie das Festklemmen des wenigstens einen Kabels (105, 107) bewirken.

4. Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) für ein Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 3, wobei die erste Klemmbacke (5) derselben mit einem rampenförmigen Element (42, 43) mit einer Abschrägung versehen ist, die in der Richtung für Einführung des Gitters (3) in die Öffnung (103) des Gehäuses (101) abfällt.

5. Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) für ein Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100) nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Spitze (45) der Rampe (42, 43) derselben so bemessen ist, dass die Einführung der ersten Klemmbacke (5) in die Öffnung (103) des Gehäuses (101) ein Schwenken der ersten Klemmbacke (5) verursacht, durch das die Klemmbacken (5, 7) an dem einen oder den mehreren Kabel/n (103, 105) festgeklemmt werden.

6. Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) für ein Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei eine Fläche (49) der ersten Klemmbacke (5) und/oder der zweiten Klemmbacke (7) derselben, die so ausgeführt ist, dass sie in dem sogenannten montierten Zustand mit einem oder mehreren Kabel/n (105, 107) in Kontakt ist, mit wenigstens einer Form (51, 53) zum Halten, insbesondere einem Vorsprung (51, 53) zum Festklemmen des einen oder der mehreren Kabels/Kabel (105, 107) versehen ist.

7. Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) für ein Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei wenigstens eine Wand der zweiten Klemmbacke (7) derselben, die in dem sogenannten montierten Zustand der Innenwand (119) der Öffnung (103) des Gehäuses (101) zugewandt ist, mit wenigstens einem Vorsprung (55) versehen ist, der ein Einrasten des Gitters (3) in dem Gehäuse (101) ermöglicht.

8. Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) für ein Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, die in einem aus einem Stück bestehenden elastischen Teil, insbesondere aus Kunststoffmaterial bestehend, hergestellt wird.

9. Elektrischer Verbinder, insbesondere ein abgedichteter elektrischer Verbinder, der ein Gehäuse (101), das mit wenigstens einer Öffnung (103) zum Aufnehmen eines oder mehrerer elektrischen/elektrischer Kabels/Kabel (105, 107) darin versehen ist, und eine Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1 umfasst.

10. Elektrischer Verbinder, insbesondere ein abgedichteter elektrischer Verbinder, nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) desselben ein Gitter (3) umfasst, das mit einer ersten Klemmbacke (5) und mit einer zweiten Klemmbacke (7) versehen ist, die mit einer Form (51, 53) zum Halten ausgestattet sind, so dass die elektrischen Kabel (105, 107) zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Klemmbacke (5, 7) in der Richtung (A) für Einführung des Gitters (3) in die Öffnung (103) des Gehäuses (101) festgeklemmt werden.

11. Verfahren zum Verbinden einer Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1 mit einem Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100), das die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

a) Verschieben des Gitters (3) entlang des einen oder der mehreren elektrischen Kabels/Kabel (105, 107) bis zu einer Öffnung (103) des Gehäuses (101); sowie

b) Drücken des Gitters (3) in die Öffnung (103) des Gehäuses (101) hinein, so dass die erste Klemmbacke (5) geschwenkt wird, bis das eine oder die mehreren elektrischen Kabel (105, 107) zwischen der ersten Klemmbacke (5) und der zweiten Klemmbacke (7) eingeklemmt wird/werden.

12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11 zum Verbinden einer Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) mit einem Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100), in Kombination mit den Ansprüchen 2 bis 8, wobei Schritt b) desselben umfasst, dass, wenn das Gitter (3) in das Gehäuse (101) eingeführt wird, die Spitze (45) der Rampe (41) der ersten Klemmbacke (5) zum Anliegen an einer Innenwand (109, 119) der Öffnung (103) des Gehäuses (101) gebracht wird, um ein Schwenken der ersten Klemmbacke (5) zu bewirken, und die Klemmbacken (5, 7) an dem einen oder den mehreren Kabel/n (105, 107) festzuklemmen.

13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11 oder 12 zum Verbinden einer Kabelklemmvorrichtung (1) mit einem Gehäuse (101) eines abgedichteten elektrischen Verbinders (100), in Kombination mit Anspruch 7, wobei Schritt b) desselben umfasst, dass, wenn das Gitter (3) in das Gehäuse (101) eingeführt wird, wenigstens ein Vorsprung (55) der zweiten Klemmbacke (7) in ein Loch (115, 117) des Gehäuses (101) so eingepasst wird, dass ein Einrasten des Gitters (3) in dem Gehäuse (101) ermöglicht wird.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de serrage de câble (1) pour un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100), comprenant une grille (3), elle-même comprenant un ou plusieurs orifices (9, 11) pour recevoir respectivement un ou plusieurs câbles (105, 107) et telle que la grille (3) comprend un moyen de serrage pour bloquer le ou les câbles (105, 107) dans l'au moins un orifice (9, 11) de la grille (3) ; dans lequel la grille (3) comprend une première mâchoire (5) et une deuxième mâchoire (7) formant entre elles le ou les orifices de réception (9, 11) pour le ou les câbles (105, 107), et étant mobiles l'une par rapport à l'autre pour serrer l'au moins un câble (105, 107) dans l'orifice (9, 11) en se fermant lors d'une introduction dans une ouverture (103) du boîtier (101) ; caractérisé en ce que
la première mâchoire (5) dépasse la deuxième mâchoire (7) dans le sens opposé au sens d'introduction de la grille (3) dans l'ouverture (103) du boîtier (101).

2. Le dispositif de serrage de câble (1) pour un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100) selon la revendication 1, dont la première mâchoire (5) est montée mobile par rapport à la deuxième mâchoire (7) en utilisant une ou plusieurs charnières (31, 33) élastiquement déformables de manière à permettre une articulation en rotation de la première mâchoire (5) par rapport à la deuxième mâchoire (7).

3. Le dispositif de serrage de câble (1) pour un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100) selon la revendication 2, dont les mâchoires (5, 7) et la ou les charnières (31, 33) sont réalisées de manière à ce que :

dans un état dit d'assemblage, lorsque ledit dispositif de serrage (1) n'est pas inséré dans le boîtier (101), les mâchoires (5, 7) sont ouvertes de manière à permettre l'introduction de l'au moins un câble (105, 107); et

dans un état dit assemblé, lorsque ledit dispositif de serrage (1) est inséré dans le boîtier (101), les mâchoires (5, 7) sont davantage fermées de manière à réaliser le blocage du au moins un câble (105, 107).

4. Le dispositif de serrage de câble (1) pour un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dont la première mâchoire (5) est munie d'un élément en forme de rampe (41) avec une pente descendante dans le sens de l'introduction de la grille (3) dans l'ouverture (103) du boîtier (101).

5. Le dispositif de serrage de câble (1) pour un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100) selon la revendication 4, dont le sommet (45) de la rampe (41) est dimensionné de sorte que l'insertion de la première mâchoire (5) dans l'ouverture (103) du boîtier (101) provoque une articulation de la première mâchoire (5) pour serrer les mâchoires (5, 7) sur le ou les câbles (103, 105).

6. Le dispositif de serrage de câble (1) pour un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dont une face (49) de la première mâchoire (5) et/ou de la deuxième mâchoire (7) configurée pour être en contact avec un ou plusieurs câbles (105, 107) dans l'état dit assemblé, est pourvue d'au moins une forme de rétention (51, 53), en particulier une protubérance (51, 53), pour le blocage du ou des câbles (105, 107).

7. Le dispositif de serrage de câble (1) pour un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dont au moins une paroi de la deuxième mâchoire (7), qui dans l'état dit assemblé est en regard de la paroi interne (119) de l'ouverture (103) du boîtier (101), est pourvue d'au moins une protubérance (55) permettant un verrouillage par encliquetage de la grille (3) dans le boîtier (101).

8. Le dispositif de serrage de câble (1) pour un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, qui est réalisé en une seule pièce monobloc et élastique, en particulier en matière plastique.

9. Connecteur électrique, en particulier étanche, comprenant un boîtier (101) pourvu d'au moins une ouverture (103) pour y loger un ou plusieurs câbles électriques (105, 107) et un dispositif de serrage de câble (1) selon la revendication 1.

10. Connecteur électrique, en particulier étanche, selon la revendication 9, dont le dispositif de serrage de câble (1) comprend une grille (3) pourvue d'une première mâchoire (5) et d'une deuxième mâchoire (7) munies de forme de rétention (51, 53) de manière à bloquer les câbles électriques (105, 107) entre la première et la deuxième mâchoires (5, 7) dans la direction d'introduction (A) de la grille (3) dans l'ouverture (103) du boîtier (101).

11. Une méthode pour assembler un dispositif de serrage de câble (1) selon au moins la revendication 1 à un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100), comprenant les étapes de :

a) glisser la grille (3) le long du ou des câbles électriques (105, 107) jusqu'à une ouverture (103) du boîtier (101); et

b) pousser la grille (3) dans l'ouverture (103) du boîtier (101) de manière à articuler la première mâchoire (5) jusqu'à ce que la première (5) et la deuxième (7) mâchoires serrent entre elles le ou les câbles électriques (105, 107).

12. La méthode selon la revendication 11 pour assembler un dispositif de serrage de câble (1) à un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100), en combinaison avec les revendications 2 à 8, dont l'étape b) comprend, lorsque que la grille (3) est introduite dans le boîtier (101), la butée du sommet (45) de la rampe (41) de la première mâchoire (5) contre une paroi interne (109, 119) de l'ouverture (103) du boîtier (101) pour provoquer une articulation de la première mâchoire (5) pour serrer les mâchoires (5, 7) sur le ou les câbles (105, 107).

13. Une méthode selon la revendication 11 ou 12 pour assembler un dispositif de serrage de câble (1) à un boîtier (101) d'un connecteur électrique étanche (100), en combinaison avec la revendication 7, dont l'étape b) comprend, lorsque que la grille (3) est introduite dans le boîtier (101), l'emboîtement d'au moins une protubérance (55) de la deuxième mâchoire (7) dans un trou (115, 117) du boîtier (101) permettant un verrouillage par encliquetage de la grille (3) dans le boîtier (101).

Drawing